The Victoria Cross is the highest award which the nation can bestow and is awarded for most conspicuous bravery, self-sacrifice and devotion to duty and fellow comrades. The Victoria Cross had its origins back in the Crimean War and was the first award for the common soldier for bravery in the field of battle. Before this it was only high ranking officers who were awarded and kind of medals as it was thought that due to there outstanding leadership lead there men to achieve victory and feats of bravery. All Victoria Cross's are made from bronze that came from a captured Chinese made cannon used by the Russians troops at Sebastopol during the Crimean War. What is remains of the cannon metal is kept at the army base at Donnington, in Shropshire. Today, there is only enough metal left for 80 more medals. The jeweler firm Hancocks of London, are the only makers the medals. There is seven medals in storage, these are kept for future recipients. They have no value until they are awarded to any of the armed forces and inscribed with a name & number. From the original cannon there is estimated to be only enough bronze left to make around 80 more medals but with the metal been so hard to work with the figure could be lower than this? Today and estimated value of one of these rare medals could expect to change hand for anything in excess of a quarter of a million pounds sterling. These are so rare that only 634 VC’s were awarded in world war one and just 182 in world war two. John Readitt was one of the brave few from the Greater Manchester area to receive and achieve this honour.

Born John Readitt on 19th January 1897 at 34 Bamford Street, Clayton, Manchester. Son of John Sr & Hannah Readitt nee Ainsworth. Son of Clogger & shoe repairer/maker. Brother to Bertha & Amy Readitt. John after surviving the war age 20 went on to marry Lily Eliot at st. Paul's church Bradford and had three children: John, Alma & Frederick.John Readit died 9th June 1964 at his home of 2 Bury Brow, Clayton Bridge, Manchester. He was buried in Gorton cemetery on 13th June 1964. He is buried in the church of England section, grave number: Z-223. Also buried with him is his wife Lily & his son John Readitt Jr.

Published in the Manchester Evening NewsManchester's Fourth V.C.Young private who saved his battalion

Another Manchester soldier has been awarded the Victoria cross. The latest recipient of this honour is Private John Readitt ( 18233) South Lancashire regiment, who lived at 34 Bamford street, Clayton, and he is the fourth Manchester man to gain the distinction during the present war. Singularly enough three of them performed their deeds of valour in Mesopotamia. The London Gazette's description of feat which gained for Readitt the V.C. is as follows: For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when working down a broad, deep watercourse. Five times he went forward in the face of very heavy machine-gun fire at very close range, being the soul survivor on each occasion. These advances drove back the enemy machine-guns, and about 300 yards of watercourse was made good in an hour.After his officer was killed, Private Readitt, on his own initiative, organised and made several more advances.On reaching the enemy barricade he was forced by counter-attack to retire giving ground slowly and continually throwing bombs.On supports reaching him, he held a forward bend by bombing until the position was consolidated. The action of this gallant soldier saved the left flank and enabled his battalion to maintain it's position.

Joined when 18

Readitt when he enlisted in the South Lancashire Regiment in 1915 was 18 years of age, and after about six months of training was drafted to the Dardanelles. There he suffered from frost bite and dysentery, but eventually went on to Mesopotamia and is now slightly sick in hospital in Amara. He has never made any mention in his letters home of the great work he preformed. The last letter received from him was about nine weeks ago, when he said he hoped those at home would see "the fall of Bagdad" on the pictures.Before enlisting he assisted his father as a Clogger and shoe repairer. Mr. Readitt for ten years accompanied the Manchester United F.C. as their boot repairer. His son is not yet 21. As a boy Private Readitt attended St. Cross day school, Clayton, and a member of St. Paul's church Sunday school football team for whom he played as a full back in the Manchester Sunday school league.